I have read that mushrooms as a food are not nutritious at all
and are not good for consumption as they are a fungus and eating fungus is certainly not healthful as is eating green, chlorophyll rich food. Do mushrooms cause Candidiasis? An overgrowth of fungus
A Healthy Diet
The healthiest diet is the one that is varied and full of colours. A healthy diet includes many different kinds of foods and like you mentioned especially green leafy cholorophyll rich foods(alkalising). You will notice that different cultures who refrain from or include different foods in their diets experience different health matters when compared to other regions of the world. For example, the different culinary choices of the Italians result in a lower incidence of hypertension due to the amounts of olives and olive oil (Omega 3 essential fatty acids) in their diet. When compared to other countries which do not consume plenty of raw olive oil in their diets we see a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases are present.
Types of mushrooms
Mushrooms have been used for centuries as a traditional food for health and longevity in many of the Asian countries. Different species of mushrooms, such as Reishi, Shitake, Maitake and Oyster mushrooms are known to contain health benefits to support the immune system, nervous system and circulation and also provide many nutrients such as amino acids, Selenium, Magnesium, Calcium, Zinc and B Vitamins and Folic acid in smaller amounts. Regular mushrooms, such as the White Champignon or the field mushroom which are readily available from stores in Australia do not contain many nutrients or therapeutic properties and are more widely used as a food rather than for medicinal reasons.
Mushrooms, fungus' and candida.
In regards to your question concerning mushrooms and candida, mushrooms are best avoided by individuals who suffer from digestive overgrowths of bacteria.
Candida (intestinal dysbiosis) is caused by an opportunistic microflora which over proliferates in the body when the conditions are right, such as an acidic, damp and sugary environment. If you are concerned about over proliferation of this flora then follow a strict anti-Candida diet and this will naturally kill off the candida. It is recommended by most Naturopaths to do a "sloughing off" diet for at least 2 months.
Dietary recommendations for Candida are:
- Support liver, digestion and detoxification processes by eliminating tea, coffee, alcohol, carbonated drinks and cordial
- Some herbs which help to kill and expel the overgrowth of bacteria from the digestive tract are Pau D'arco, Wormwood, Dandelion, Rhubarb, Golden Seal, Black Walnut, Olive leaf, Echinacea, Agrimony and Barberry.
- Increase water intake to flush the kidneys and bowels of wastes and acidity.
- Introduce herbal teas to increase your water intake and cleanse the digestion. Teas such as Peppermint, Ginger, Echinacea, Lemongrass and Fennel are ideal.
- Begin each day with a small glass of warm water with 1/2 lemon squeezed into it. Lemon cleanses the bowels, switches on the liver and also helps to alkalise the blood.
- Take a probiotic such as Inner Health Plus to rebalance the flora of the bowels. Many conditions of Candida are directly contributed to the wrong bacteria being housed in the bowels, by taking an acidophilius supplement such as this it helps to recorrect this imbalance and reduce symptoms such as bloating, thrush and constipation.
- Increase the amount of garlic in your diet as garlic is an antimicrobial due to its sulphur content. Also include ginger and chilli in the diet as these are beneficial to encourage digestion and cleansing.
- Have a vegetable juice each day such as carrot, celery, ginger and beetroot. See our tasty juice recipes page for other juice blend ideas.
- Include more bitter foods in your diet such as lemon, rocket, endive and beetroot leaves.
- Eliminate simple sugars from your diet such as sugar, honey, cakes, breads, chocolate, biscuits and bakery type foods.
- Eliminate fermented foods from your diet such as mushrooms, vinegar, apple cider vinegar, alcohol, wine, bread and yeasts.
- Take a Spirulina supplement, available at a health food store, as Spirulina is a blood cleanser and also an alkaliser.